Kenya’s Judokas Headed to Japan for Judo Advancement Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Five Kenyan Judokas, including a player who recently qualified for the Bronze finals at the All African Junior and Cadet championships, will represent Kenya in an International Training Camp in Tokyo, Japan next month ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The Government of Japan has provided an all expense grant to the Kenya Judo Association (KJA) to attend an annual International Training Camp at Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan. This training, organized by the All Japan Judo Federation, will commence from the 12th to the 20th of June 2018.

“With Judo being a martial art born in Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Kenya is happy to have a close working relationship with the Kenya Judo Association. It is my hope that the young players, who have been carefully chosen by KJA will advance themselves well, ready for qualification to participate in Tokyo 2020.” Says Mr. Seiji Tashiro, the Director of the Japan Information and Culture Centre at the Embassy of Japan, while speaking on the upcoming training.

“Although KJA has participated in the International Training Camp in the past, this is the first time we are going for training under sponsorship.” Says the coach, Mr Joseph Mburu, who will accompany the Judokas to Japan.

The Government of Japan, through its programme, Sport for Tomorrow, which is an international contribution through sport initiative, is promoting sport to more than 10 million people in over 100 nations until 2020, the year when Tokyo will host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We hope to advance our techniques to increase our chances of being considered for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. After new leaders were elected in the year 2017 at the Kenya Judo Association, there is renewed hope for a better future for Kenya’s Judokas.” Says Coach Mburu.

Japan has had a long history in contributing to the global sport movement by sending coaches, providing equipment and assisting to enrich the sporting movement. Sport for Tomorrow’s main focus is on cooperating with developing countries with an aim to promote sport and the Olympic and Paralympic movement in both tangible and intangible ways.

“We have recently started Judo classes, which are held at our premises on a weekly basis. The Embassy has over the years offered other martial arts including Karate and Aikido. To advance and popularize the Judo sport in Kenya, the Embassy of Japan will hold the Judo Ambassador’s cup in August.” Says Mr. Tashiro.

The International training camp, in 2017 gathered over 500 players from 30 countries.